Reciprocating compressor

Catastrophic valve failure
Piping routing and draining procedures modified to prevent further failures
Country:
France
Application:
LNG Terminal
Compressor type:
Reciprocating compressor – 2 stg.
Service
Methane compression
Power:
1133 kW
Pressure:
82.5 bara
Reciprocating compressor
Problem

Unexpected compressor shutdown

  • Cross-head pin failure
  • Crank-mechanism lubrication oil polluted by metal particles
  • Delivery valves failures (cracked guard)
Solution

Root Cause Analysis based on:

  • Visual and metallographic inspection
  • Stress and fatigue simulation by means of FEM Analysis assessed sudden overpressure caused by liquid slug ingestion